A study of academic standards in the Los Angeles Community College District resulted in the identification of a number of problems and issues, as well as recommendations, in areas pertaining to: (1) entering students--pre-enrollment misconceptions, admissions policies, late registration, and choice of courses and programs; (2) attending students--concerns with class schedules, program adjustment and withdrawal, class attendance, class requirements and grading standards, grade forgiveness and changes of grades, course credit, academic probation and disqualification, counseling, and student services; (3) leaving students--questions of designations and requirements for transfer, degrees, and occupational certificates, and of attrition; and (4) establishing and maintaining standards. General findings reveal that district standards have followed national trends; that is, grade point averages have risen as performance levels have fallen. Causes for declines include the failure to acquire basic skills in secondary school, lowering of standards by some instructors, large non-traditional student enrollments, proliferation of courses meeting graduation requirements, and television. A major problem found in many of the areas considered was the difference between stated policies and actual practices. The study report discusses the implementation of the recommendations and includes minority reports and appendices. (MB)